Verstappen hoping rule change can propel his title charge

The four-time world champion triumphed on his Red Bull debut as a teenager at the Circuit de Catalunya in the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix and will hope another win, his fifth in Spain, will propel him into the thick of the title race. 

The 27-year-old Dutchman is 25 points adrift of championship leader Oscar Piastri and 22 behind his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris, who their rivals believe could be hampered by the introduction of strict front wing flexibility tests.

"It's a significant change," said Red Bull boss Christian Horner of the requirement for much stiffer front wings.

"There will be some effect and, of course, the teams have anticipated this so it may well be neutral. Or it may affect tyre degradation. It doesn't make life easier!"

McLaren's excellent aerodynamic car, designed to enable their drivers to manage tyre-wear and deliver fast times, may be more hit by the tightening up of the rule than others.

"But we don't know how it will affect them," added Horner. 

Formula One announced the clampdown on so-called 'flexi wings' in January.

The change left the teams with time to prepare and may have a dramatic effect on performance and the outcome of the season. 

"With 16 races left, there is a long way to go," said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. 

"The team is pushing to find performance and this weekend's updated front wing technical directive will provide another level of intrigue."

Issued on eNCA | https://www.enca.com/sport/verstappen-hoping-rule-change-can-propel-his-title-charge